Calculating the COLA in this manner would remove more of the uncertainty in years of economic recession and high unemployment and it would reflect inflation two ways - the growth in average wages which determine the average benefit, as well as the growth in prices. The national average Social Security benefit tends to rise most years, because new people coming onto the rolls tend to have higher wages than people who retired ahead of them. Indexing using this method would still tend to ensure a small boost to benefits even in years when inflation is so low that no COLA is payable..Because food and fuel prices are highly volatile - subject to international crisis, wars, and disasters - Wall Street economists often exclude those costs in news reports in order to give the business community a better idea about the status of "core inflation." If less volatile items remain relatively unchanged, that tends to indicate that inflation remains stable, despite spikes in oil or food prices - a reassurance to the markets..Medicare Savings Programs cover the cost of the Medicare Part B premium, saving a person 8.50 per month in 202Depending on income, those with the lowest income may also qualify for additional benefits that cover the Part B deductible and out-of-pocket costs. People with incomes in 2020 of up to ,456 per month or ,960 might be eligible if they have limited savings and resources of ,860 or ,800. These limits are slightly higher for Hawaii and Alaska. This program is administered through state Medicaid programs and states may have guidelines that allow people with slightly higher income to enroll. If interested,contact your local Medicaid office to apply..For tips on which questions you should ask your Member of Congress at your next town hall meeting, click HERE. To learn more about important issues affecting seniors, to sign a petition to Congress, or to find contact information for your Members of Congress, please visit the ACTION CENTER of our website.."Even under limited immigration reform that provides only work authorization and a valid Social Security number, immigrants would become entitled to Social Security benefits," Cates says. "Citizenship is not a requirement to receive benefits," he adds. But with Congress and President Obama debating cuts to Social Security, seniors are lining up against reform that would allow millions of new immigrants to benefit from work under fraudulent numbers. A recent TSCL survey found that 87 percent of seniors strongly favor prohibiting payment of Social Security benefits that are based on earnings from unauthorized work. TSCL supports immigration reform measures that would prohibit earnings from work prior to gaining legal authorization for use in determining Social Security benefits..For more information about town hall meetings near you during the holiday recess, call the local offices of your Members of Congress. For contact information, click HERE..If you were to start your own retirement benefit now, your benefit would be permanently reduced, and you would be giving up potentially tens of thousands of dollars in long-term Social Security income. If you delay starting Social Security as your husband is doing, you receive 100% of your own benefit at your full retirement age. The Social Security Administration has a retirement age calculator to help..Higher income beneficiaries who pay "income-based" or Means Tested premiums. In 2009, people with incomes of more than ,000 or 0,000 pay a higher portion of the premium depending on their income..As the Affordable Care Act continues its scheduled implementation, many seniors will begin to see small changes in Medicare coverage and tax rates. A few modifications have already taken effect this year, including new federal subsidies that will lower the cost seniors pay for prescriptions filled in the "donut hole." There's also an increased threshold for itemized deductions of medical expenses, and Medicare tax increases for some with investment income.
